Another child remained in critical condition after flames damaged two units near Nellis Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.
LAS VEGAS, NV — One child died and another remained in critical condition after a late-night apartment fire Sunday in the east Las Vegas valley, where firefighters found heavy flames and reports of people trapped inside.
The fire drew a large Clark County Fire Department response to the 2600 block of Nellis Boulevard, near Sahara Avenue. Officials said three people were taken to hospitals, including two children with critical injuries and one adult with a minor medical complaint. The cause remained under investigation Monday, and no firefighter injuries were reported.
Firefighters were called at about 10:58 p.m. Sunday to a two-story apartment building later identified in local reports as Viridian Palms Apartments. Clark County Fire Deputy Chief Steven DePue said crews arrived to find heavy fire involving two apartment units and reports that multiple people were trapped. Firefighters attacked the flames while search-and-rescue teams moved through the building. By about 11:16 p.m., crews had knocked down the fire and confirmed that all occupants had been removed. The fire did not spread beyond the two units first involved, officials said.
One of the two children later died from injuries suffered in the fire, according to local reports that cited sources with knowledge of the case. Officials had not released the child’s name, age or cause of death as of Tuesday. The second child remained hospitalized in critical condition. The adult who was transported had a minor medical complaint, according to fire officials. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Monday that the investigation was being led by the Clark County Fire Department, correcting an earlier report that homicide detectives had been called to the scene.
The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada said its disaster responders were helping residents affected by the fire. Keith Paul, a spokesman for the organization, said volunteers were in contact with one family and were trying to reach a second family with relatives in the hospital. The Red Cross said support could include safe lodging, food, clothing, prescription medicine and recovery resources. Fire officials said two families were affected by the blaze. The number of people displaced was not immediately clear.
The response included two battalion chiefs, eight engine companies, two truck companies, two rescue units and one emergency medical services captain. Fire crews worked in a dense residential area near one of the east valley’s busiest corridors. The fire happened just south of Sahara Avenue, where apartment complexes, businesses and parking lots sit close together along Nellis Boulevard. Investigators had not said whether smoke alarms were working, where the fire started inside the building or whether any building code issues were part of the review.
A neighbor, Sherri Defreece, said she was in an upstairs unit when her son and daughter saw smoke coming from the laundry room. She said her family moved quickly to escape, and her son jumped partway down the stairs while getting out. “I felt relief knowing my kids were out of the building,” Defreece said. She also described seeing a downstairs neighbor in distress as flames came from a balcony. “She’s crying, ‘my babies, my babies,’” Defreece said.
Investigators continued working Tuesday to determine what caused the fire and to document the damage. Officials had not announced any charges, arrests or formal findings. The next public update is expected from fire investigators or county officials when the cause and manner of the fire are determined.
Author note: Last updated June 9, 2026.